LGBTIQ+ people
Everyone deserves equal rights, freedom from violence, persecution, discrimination, harassment, and stigma – including LGBTIQ+ individuals.
The criminalisation of same-sex relationships must end, so must all violence, discrimination and harmful practices against LGBTIQ+ communities.”
ANT?NIO GUTERRES, United Nations Secretary-GeneralHighlights of work across the UN System
Human rights
The launched the in 2013 to promote equality and non-discrimination for LGBTIQ+ people worldwide. The campaign seeks to raise awareness, change attitudes, and encourage actions that foster equality and respect for LGBTIQ+ individuals. The campaign has worked at global level and at national level in 39 countries towards ensuring that LGBTIQ+ people enjoy the same human rights and freedoms as everyone else, without fear of discrimination or violence.
Illustration: ?United Nations Free & Equal
Sexual and Reproductive Health
UNFPA believes everyone is entitled to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights and is guided by the , adopted by 179 governments, which recognizes that reproductive health includes the right of all people to have a satisfying and safe sex life. Yet we know that members of the LGBTQIA+ community still face serious barriers and disparities in addition to, and as a result of, discrimination and stigma in meeting their unique needs and realizing these rights. In its commitment to leaving no one behind, UNFPA works alongside the community and with other partners toward a world where LGBTQIA+ people are afforded the same rights as others.
Photo: ?UNFPA Bangladesh/Gaia Paradiso
UN Independent Expert
In 2016, the appointed an on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The Expert assesses implementation of international human rights law, identifies good practices, raises awareness, engages in dialogue with all relevant stakeholders and provides advisory services, technical assistance, capacity-building to States and other stakeholders. Mr. Graeme Reid was appointed in late 2023.
Photo: ?Sebastian Andrea Wirsching
Sustainable development
UNDP actively promotes inclusive development, prioritizing those left furthest behind. Guided by Agenda 2030 and the SDGs, UNDP supports countries around the world to become increasingly accountable and responsive to all marginalized populations, including . This contributes to better laws, more responsive public sector services and social norms that benefit everyone, including sexual and gender minorities.
Photo: ?UNDP/ Dominican Republic
Forced displacement
Many LGBTIQ+ persons face persecution in their country and have no choice but to seek refuge elsewhere. UNHCR works to refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced and stateless people and engages with partners to provide inclusive and safe services, safeguard their rights and identify durable solutions.
Photo: ?UNHCR/Michal Novotny?
Ending AIDS
Gay men, other men who have sex with men and transgender persons are disproportionately impacted by the HIV epidemic. UNAIDS works with countries and other stakeholders to and to end stigma, discrimination, gender inequalities and violence faced by LGBT people, as well as to .
Photo: ?UNAIDS
Women and girls
UN Women is committed, in the pursuit of gender equality, to promoting the full realization of the human rights and equality of with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics. LGBTIQ+ people’s concerns are integrated in all areas of work, including governance and participation in public life, economic empowerment, ending violence against women, women, peace and security and humanitarian action.
Photo: ?UN Women/Mariken Harbitz
Migrants
IOM's programming is inclusive of a wide range of migrants, including migrants of diverse gender identities, gender expressions, sexual orientations and sex characteristics. IOM strives to be inclusive and respectful, and to ensure services are appropriate, accessible and dignified, and has developed a range of to advance inclusion and respect for LGBTIQ+ migrants.
Illustration: ?IOM/United Nations Free & Equal
Education for all
UNESCO works towards a world where , are empowered through good quality comprehensive sexuality education and can benefit from safe and inclusive learning environments that are free from all forms of violence, bullying, stigma and discrimination.
Photo: ?Adobe stock/568786048
UN Secretariat LGBTIQ+ Strategy
In 2024, the UN Secretariat adopted a strategy on the protection from violence and discrimination of LGBTIQ+ persons. The strategy reaffirms internal commitments to providing a safe, enabling, welcoming and supportive environment that values all United Nations personnel, irrespective of gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation or sex characteristics, to advance equal opportunities, non-discrimination, zero tolerance for prohibited conduct, respect for dignity and rights and effective participation. It also reaffirms external commitments, in line with respective UN mandates, international law, norms and standards and other globally agreed commitments including the 2030 Agenda, to prevent, mitigate and address exclusion, violence, stigma and discrimination, and to advance the protection and realization of the human rights, of LGBTIQ+ persons, as part of efforts to leave no one behind.